The Right Time with Bomani Jones

Episode: Michael Smith on Michael Vick, Cam Newton, Lamar Jackson & 25 years of the Black QB
Release Date: August 13, 2025

Episode Overview

In this thoughtful and often humorous episode, Bomani Jones is joined by Michael Smith to reflect on the evolution and impact of Black quarterbacks over the past 25 years. Using recent top-draft picks and all-time greats as touchpoints, they explore how stereotypes, expectations, and the football landscape itself have shifted dramatically—from Michael Vick’s trailblazing moment to having Black QBs regularly selected at the top of NFL Drafts. The conversation blends historical perspective, analysis of systemic barriers that Black athletes have faced (and still do), and memorable anecdotes that both celebrate progress and push for continued change.

Key Discussion Points

1. Setting the Stage: Then vs. Now in Black Quarterback History

• Bomani and Michael reminisce about personal experiences and set up the theme: the quantum leap from the era when Black QBs were rarely even allowed a shot, to the modern era where they're often the faces of franchises.
• Bomani: “We have to acknowledge that there are things that have changed in the ways that we see black quarterbacks... It's been a fascinating evolution.” (05:38)
• The hosts stress the importance of celebrating victories, even while recognizing the journey isn't complete.

2. The Modern Era – Progress by the Numbers

• Discussion of Black quarterbacks going first overall, from Michael Vick in 2001 to a string of #1 picks in the 2020s (Bryce Young, Caleb Williams, etc.).
• Michael: “So well compensated, the highest paid players in the league. Dak Prescott, for example... Maybe somebody who's gonna challenge for the conversation as the GOAT is a black quarterback. It's really mind blowing how quickly it happened.” (07:43)
• Even the “backup QB” role—once almost invisible for Black players—is now a viable and lucrative career path.

3. Changing Stereotypes and the “Goalpost Move”

• The hosts examine shifts in scouting and evaluation, reflecting on how Black QBs were once docked for their athleticism—now, mobility is expected for all QBs.
• Bomani: “They're getting criticized for not running enough!” (13:02)
• The dialogue highlights CJ Stroud’s college criticism (not running much) as a sign of how far things have moved.

4. Spread Offenses & RPO – The Tactical Revolution

• Michael points to the spread offense and RPO concepts as true inflection points that allowed Black QBs’ skills to redefine the position.
  • “If you lack mobility as a quarterback... you are the dinosaur. You don't fit in this modern game.” (12:33, Michael)
• Cam Newton’s college-to-pro transition is explored as a symbol of this new era; his success forced teams at both levels to adjust and incorporate his strengths rather than trying to force him into a “traditional” QB box.

5. Pipeline Development and Systemic Change

• The trickle-up effect: changes in high school and college football styles led to the NFL adapting, not the other way around.
• Bomani: “At the lower levels... the style of offense began to spread and then caught on in the NFL. Cam Newton became important because he was the spread college quarterback...” (15:15)
• College conservatism delayed the rise of Black QBs; certain storied programs (Texas, USC, Georgia, Miami) only embraced Black quarterbacks much later despite talented Black QBs being available.

6. Subtler Obstacles & Residual Bias

• There are still organizations resistant to change (e.g., Giants, Packers), and the notion of a Black starting QB isn't universal everywhere.
  • Michael: “There’s still some commentary that’s problematic.” (25:45)
• “Level of blackness” scrutiny—a backlash following the mainstreaming of Black QBs (i.e., Russell Wilson, Donovan McNabb, Kaepernick) (28:31).
  • Not just about representation, but also leadership style and off-field politics.

7. Backup QBs and Coaching Pipelines

• The necessity (and odd politics) of Black starters also having Black backups to shield them from unfair scrutiny.
  • Bomani: “If you have any white man in town as the backup quarterback... Oh, no, no, it's gonna be a thing.” (40:03)
• Michael calls for more Black quarterback coaches as the next critical “frontier” in NFL diversity.
  • Michael: “The quarterback coach is the pipeline... the more Byron Leftwichs of the world transition... the better.” (38:31)

8. Personalities, ‘What Ifs’, and Forgotten Figures

• Vick: What could have happened if prime Michael Vick played under a coach/with a system that actually fit him early on?
• Cordell Stewart: “Slash” as the bridge between Cunningham and modern multi-tooled QBs, underappreciated for his adaptability and success.
• “The Steelers use Stewart as a weapon. And please let us not forget they went to an AFC Championship game with Cordell Stewart as their starting quarterback.” (37:29, Bomani)
• “We got enough Black QBs now that we ain't gotta lie”—the depth of talent means fans can be honest about where a player stands.

9. Authentic Leadership & Black QBs as Faces of Franchises

• Black QBs have gone from being denied the opportunity, to re-defining what leadership and “face of the franchise” means.
• Michael: “We've gone from Black quarterbacks wanting to be paid fair market value, to Black quarterbacks setting the market.” (14:53)

10. Looking Back, Looking Ahead

• The journey is ongoing; barriers remain but there’s tangible and visible progress.
• “The notion has dulled really in the last 10 years. And that is... maybe it's just a matter of... the stakes got too high, or B, you just wound up with enough people that were like, oh yeah, this has been going on forever.” (25:45, Bomani)
• Anecdotes about how Black quarterbacks made institutional change necessary — not just on the field, but for broader football culture.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• [06:55] Michael Smith:
  “You hate to get complacent. You hate to feel like, oh, we have overcome. I mean, but we're overcoming, I guess... we have come a long way to where we are complaining about an injustice of a quarterback who is lauded for his accuracy and intelligence, not his athleticism, sliding to the fifth round of the draft.”

• [12:33] Michael Smith:
  “If you lack mobility as a black or white quarterback...you are the dinosaur. You don't fit in this modern game.”

• [13:26] Bomani Jones:
  “Let me tell you who I be feeling bad for... I be feeling bad for them slow white boys, man. They changed the game on them overnight. They used to penalize you for being fast... Now, they out here like, ‘Alright, cool, let's see you go.’”

• [22:59] Bomani Jones:
  “They finally caught up... they finally decided that, you know, winning is probably a little bit more important than all this other stuff.”

• [38:31] Michael Smith:
  “I think another frontier that's necessary to continue to push is black quarterback coaches, because that quarterback coach is the pipeline.”

Important Timestamps

• [03:46] – Setting up the 25-year reflection and the issue of QB evaluation
• [05:38] – Discussing Tyrod Taylor, Aaron Brooks, and how Black QBs now have longer careers
• [07:43] – The leap from “just drafted” to being faces of the league and highest-paid
• [12:33] – Shift from “must win from pocket” to mobility as standard
• [14:53] – Black QBs not just wanting fair pay, but setting market value
• [15:15] – Spread offenses and college innovations shape NFL QB expectations
• [25:47] – Progress means the idea of a Black QB is “not nearly as provocative”
• [28:31] – How the conversation shifted to “are you Black enough?”
• [38:31] – Next goal: more Black QB coaches, creating head-coaching pipelines
• [40:03] – Why having a Black starter often necessitates a Black backup
• [42:27]–[45:49] – “What ifs” for Vick, McNabb, and others who played earlier; the persistent lie that athleticism was a deficiency for Black QBs
• [46:12] – Steve McNair as a key early inflection point—drafted top-3 from an HBCU
• [47:41] – How close McNair came to a Super Bowl ring/Hall of Fame
• [49:35+] – Personal memories and lighthearted banter about growing up, dancing, and cultural differences in Black communities

Episode Tone & Style

Candid, reflective, often comedic, but consistently insightful. Jones and Smith maintain a conversational, colloquial tone, freely blending systemic critique with humorous asides and deeply personal anecdotes. The episode is approachable for die-hard football fans and social observers alike.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In...

This episode is a master class in how sports reflects and accelerates broader social currents. It’s as much about cultural change and resilience as it is about X’s and O’s. Jones and Smith offer not just history, but context, nuance, and a vision for what’s next in the ever-evolving saga of Black quarterbacks in football.